Migration Stories | What I Carried and What I Left Behind
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Migration Stories | What I Carried and What I Left Behind 〰️
THE CONCERTINA
I share the story that has been passed down to me about my great grandmother Mescal who came from Ireland in the late 1800’s. She participated in fertility dances at the crossroads of her town in County Clair Ireland by playing the concertina. This concertina was brought with her to the US and is still in the family. Along with this object and story comes the tradition of women’s partnership, strength and solidarity within the family. Although the names of the men are transferred along bloodlines, the traditions, stories and connections pass through the women. Because of this we have left behind the the patterns that no longer serve us.
Join us on May 1st from 5-8 PM to tell your stories of migration and what you have brought with you and what you have left behind. This event is a part of Fall of Freedom, a national art as resistance event.
The Great Melting Pot
There was a time in our country when we used to call ourselves the great melting pot suggesting our strength is in our diversity. There has been a strong anti- immigrant sentiment building over time and now it is reaching a peak. With threats of mass deportations and reversing major rulings like birthright citizenship it is a time when we need to hear and see the people of our country. Learn of their journeys coming to this country and what contributions they have made here.
The Great Melting Pot is a storytelling project in which people can tell their stories. A sound and visual portrait of who we are as individuals, families, communities and a country.
How to Participate
There are 2 ways to participate
Kateh Esmaeli - Hear Kateh's story of coming to Memphis TN from Iran in the 1970's
Lillis McLean - Lillis recalls the stories of her grandmother (my great grandmother) coming to the US from Ireland in the late 1800's
Susy Watanabe / Micki Watanabi Spiller - Listen to Susy and Micki tell their story about coming to the US from Japan in the 1970's